SWIKs I Missed in 2009

Podcast delayed due to technical difficulties.


As 2009 draws to a close and everyone compiles their best of lists, I’m taking the opportunity to cover a few new albums that I never got around to writing about this year. In the R&B category Mary J. Blidge and Alicia Keys released albums at the end of 2009. There were also some excellent greatest hits collections from Janet Jackson and Dolly Parton that I never reviewed. All of these women deserve their own SWIK posts. Unfortunately (or fortunately), there were so many great SWIK releases this year that there’s not enough time or space to cover everyone. In addition to some of my favorites mentioned in SWIK Music such as, Imelda May, The Raveonettes, Melody Gardot, Diane Birch, and Camera Obscura, following are a few new artists, at least new to me, that I discovered this year.

SWIK Holiday Classics

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Let’s face it, this time of year Christmas music is unavoidable. While a thousand different versions of “Silent Night” can be annoying, there is actually some good holiday music out there. I should know, as I seem to have made this an area of musical expertise. I created my first mix tape of holiday music in 1989 (ironic, considering last week’s post). I realized that many popular and alternative artists recorded holiday tunes. I began to compile them so I wouldn’t have to suffer through yet another year of Barry Manilow and Mannheim Steamroller. For example, one of my favorites is “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses, which manages to turn Christmas into a humorous dating saga.

SWIK Music from 1989

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A few weeks ago the Economist ran a story on 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The cover had one of the iconic images from that year, a punk sitting a top the crumbling wall. For those of us who grew up during the cold war, the dismantling of the Berlin Wall was probably one of the most significant political events of our lives, at least until September 11, 2001. Looking back, 1989 was quite a year. The event in Germany prompted Eastern European countries like Czechoslovakia and Poland to undergo peaceful transitions out from under Soviet control. Earlier that year student demonstrators took over Tiananmen Square in Beijing in what led to, while not the political opening of China then by all accounts its economic opening. In 1989 the Exxon Valdez spilled 10 million gallons of crude oil on Prince WIlliam Sound, Alaska in what remains the worst environmental disaster to happen at sea. In other news, the U.S. invaded Panama and bailed out the Savings & Loan industry. An earthquake in San Francisco held up the World Series. At Hillsborough stadium in England, 96 people died at a football (soccer) match.

For me, one of the most significant events of 1989 took place on December 6th at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. On that day, a 25 year old man killed 14 women and injured many others, before turning a gun on himself in what became known as the Montreal Massacre. He claimed that he was “fighting feminism.” His suicide note supposedly mentioned women who had succeeded in non-traditional female work such as firefighters, police officers, and journalists. On that date I was in college only an hour and a half from Montreal. Many of us spent a lot of time there, so the shock waves from the event rippled to the dorms of University of Vermont. This week, as I look back on 1989 and the female artists who were shaping the next decades of music, I dedicate this post to the women who died senselessly at the hands of a madman on December 6, 1989.

Waiting for Love and Gardot

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Comedienne and social commentator Sandra Bernhard once wrote, “love is the only shocking act left on the face of the earth.” In contrast to last week’s SWIK post and the sexually explicit music from Peaches and Amanda Blank, which in this day and age is really not all that shocking, Bernhard may have been onto something. Amid the eroticism, the commercialization of sex, and the horrors of the daily news (recession, war, terror, torture, starvation etc.) an act of love may, in fact, be truly shocking. This weekend, I was thinking about love. No, I haven’t met a new man. But autumn is the time that I most want to be in love. It’s my favorite season. I like the colors and the crisp, cool air that tells us winter is coming. I find the season romantic. Maybe it’s because many of my relationships began in the fall? Or it’s that When Harry Met Sally is one of my favorite romantic comedies? Whatever. As fall comes to a close and the weather gets a little colder, the season evokes the kind of love that warms you inside. Comfortable, but still sexy. My sentiments about love and the season are captured in Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald version of “Autumn in New York.” I’ve been waiting to find more songs like this and have finally found a slew of them in Melody Gardot. She captures what sounds like love, or at least a wonderful love affair, on her latest album, My One and Only Thrill. Perhaps this is the beginning of something shocking?

X-Rated SWIKs

After my bout with the flu, I finally returned to dance class last week for a workout and discovered a new song by Amanda Blank, “Something Bigger, Something Better.” A few months ago one of my music-pushers, Robbie (see Summer Tours), mentioned her debut album, I love You, which came out in August. But I never got around to listening to it. I was immediately hooked on “Something Bigger, Something Better” which sounded like it could have been produced by rapper Missy Elliott. I finally got around checking out Blank’s album. Of course, through my research it turns out that I missed her recent show in NYC with electroclash diva Peaches. I’m, once again, a step or two behind here. But I keep trying anyway. Even though I missed the live show it seems like a good time to say a few words about these X-rated singer-songwriters. (Yes, their lyrics are explicit, so you’ve been warned.)

New Music from North of the Border

The weekend before last life got in the way of the blog. I was in Montreal, but the trip led me to some interesting new artists. Unfortunately, over the past week, work and illness got in the way and I never found the time or energy to capture the weekend or the new sounds. So back to the weekend in Montreal. My friend Sadie was in town from San Francisco. She is a talented realist painter (see her website) and was on the East Coast to see some art. We headed to Montreal last Saturday to see the J.W. Waterhouse exhibit at its only stop scheduled in North America. Waterhouse is known for being part of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, which tended to combine nature with themes from Greek mythology and English literature. At the end of the exhibit there was a short film by Melissa Auf de Maur called Out Of Our Minds (OOOM). Auf de Maur is also a bassist and toured with alternative rock bands Hole and Smashing Pumpkins. These weren’t the only artists I discovered in Montreal. On Saturday night, we met up with Katheline, another member of the small group of hip co-workers at my day job, who lives in Montreal. She took us to some great bars and suggested some excellent music from north of the border.

Rave On with some more ‘ettes’

Yes, its another ‘ettes’ band. Even if they’re not using ‘ette’ in their name i.e. the Ting Tings, the 50’s and 60’s girl group sound seems to be everywhere. I’m not complaining, I love all the retro sounds permeating music these days. The Ting Tings combine their girl group sound with an 80’s pop sensibility, and the Noisettes with a soul inspired punk sound. The Raveonettes, on the other hand, have a late 80’s early 90’s alternative guitar band influence. It’s oddly dark and catchy. I had hoped to see them a few weeks ago when they were in town. But the show was during a completely hellish week at the day job and I didn’t even get to a SWIK post, let alone a concert. I hope to catch them the next time. Until then, I’m enjoying their latest album, In and Out of Control.

A SWIK Workout Mix

The past few weeks at work were so busy that I could barely breathe, let alone put some thoughts down about new music. Hence, no SWIK post last week. When I get this busy and feel like I’m just hanging on by a thread, the one thing that I try to do is get to the gym. Either take the dance class (see Trina and Madonna posts) or go for a run. Due to meetings that kept me at the office long after dance class and sunset, it was a hopeless week for working out. Dance class is the one place where I think about absolutely nothing else. I have to concentrate to learn the routine and keep up. We move fast so I get a good workout and the music motivates me to push myself. Running on the other hand, I don’t particularly like. I try to think of it as a chance to listen to new music, but it has to be music that keeps me motivated, to essentially imagine that I’m dancing. I tend to like fast and catchy pop tunes and hip-hop for running. Honestly, this is where my inner top 40 pop teenager comes out. Last week, I didn’t manage to get my sneakers on until Saturday. Here’s what was on my iPod as I attempted move my body after all the madness.

A List From Dad

A few weeks ago I read an article about a new album from Rosanne Cash, the daughter of country legend Johnny Cash. The album, simply titled The List, is a selection of cover tunes. They originate from a list of 100 essential country songs that her father created for her in 1973, when she was just out of high school. He was liberal with the term ‘country’ as the list includes many folk and other traditional American songs. I’ve never been a huge fan of country music, but am making an effort to expand my musical horizons. I like the album, it's full of emotion and depth. The songs are sad, but comforting. I discovered that she was performing in Brooklyn on Saturday so headed over to see the show.

Bebel Towers Again

Last weekend was one of those relax, chill out, avoid cleaning, and make no plans kind of weekends. I was looking for some mellow, but not maudlin music (see Camera Obscura). Something with a little pick me up, but still capturing my more relaxed mood. I pulled out Bebel Gilberto, a Brazilian bossa nova singer. While listening to her first album, Tanto Tempo, I went online to see what she’s been up to. Lo-and-behold, last week she released a new album, All In One. Since there are, maybe, two record stores left in NYC, getting a copy of the actual CD would prove to be a challenge. I decided to download it, liner notes and all, so that I could listen to it right away. The album still captures her smooth, sultry vocals and a range of bossa nova tunes with an electronic twist.

For all my SWIKs with Madonna as our soundtrack

Today, September 29, 2009 Madonna released her third (or fourth?) greatest hits album. Celebration is a double CD set that spans her twenty-five year career. I can’t let the moment pass without saying a few words about this SWIK Icon. A great deal has already been said about her. What can I possibly add? First, a mix of a few songs that didn’t make this new album and weren’t necessarily hits, but that you may have missed and are worth checking out. Second, a personal history. Any woman my age has grown up with Madonna. We all have some Madonna memories at this point. Whether you love her or hate her, there are probably moments where her music played a part and there’s a specific instance where you can recall hearing a song and having some sort of reaction. I’m huge fan of her music, but this post is not a tribute to her. It’s a trip down memory lane with Madonna providing the soundtrack. So even if you aren’t a Madonna fan, you may enjoy the post. It’s actually a tribute to all the woman in my life who have shared my personal Madonna soundtrack. You can start playing the SWIK Icon Madonna Mix with this new Grooveshark widget and listen while you read. Just press play.

End of Summer Noise(ttes)

The summer is officially over. According to the calendar, the season ended on Monday. I attempted to extend it as long as possible, but it really ended on Sunday when I had what will likely be my last water-ski of the season. While I was skiing, the Noisettes song “Don’t Upset the Rhythm” went through my head. I never found my rhythm navigating the extremely bumpy waters, but I did have fun. The Noisettes are great fun as well. They have that summer girl-band sound, even if they are actually two men and one woman. It’s amusing to me that with this summer sound, their newest album, Wild Young Hearts, was released in the U.S. on the first day of autumn.

Falling In Love Again

I’ve wanted to write about Imelda May for a few months. This past weekend while looking for some live music, I discovered that she was opening for Chuck Berry. Unfortunately, tickets were about $100. Not the amount that I, and my friends visiting from out of town, wanted to spend. Luckily she was in NYC for a few days. I checked out a show on Tuesday at Piano’s, a small club on the Lower East Side. A perfect excuse to write about her. Plus a chance to see her live and find out if she was as good as she sounds on her album. Would I fall in love with the music again?

SWIK Icon Series: The voice of glamour and danger

In a wonderful end to what was otherwise a not-so-fabulous summer, this past weekend I had the opportunity to navigate some curvy Maine roads in a peach-colored 1960 MGA convertible. The car belongs to my uncle, who is attempting to restore it to a semblance of its former glory. After a brief lesson on the quirks of a car nearly five decades old, I was permitted to take it for a spin. With my scarf blowing in the wind, but no working radio, the song blaring inside my head was “Kiss Them For Me” by Siouxsie and The Banshees. Why? Or you may even ask, who?

In The Background and In High Heels

Last week was a bit of a whirlwind. In a highly unusual case of social activity, I found myself out every night long past my regular bedtime. From tapas with my cousin to a work-related roof deck party as well as a Wine Library TV event, the weekend couldn’t come soon enough. Yet, I knew the weekend wouldn’t be any slower and that live music would be part of it. My friend Suzy T. was in town. We work together at a large, conservative, multi-national organization, but we both started our careers in the music industry. With a fellow music-lover in town, a live show was on the agenda. While there’s plenty of live music on any given weekend in NYC, it’s easy to make a bad choice and hear something awful. Fortunately for us, we got it exactly right and found what was probably the best show in town. We headed to the Bell House on Saturday for the second night of the Brooklyn Soul Festival.

The Church of Birch

A few months ago I heard an interview with Diane Birch on NPR. I was intrigued. It wasn’t until her song “Fire Escape” showed up on a sampler from my music-pusher (see Summer Tours) that I sought out her full album. Once I started listening to it, I couldn’t stop. Her gospel-infused retro soul music had me hooked. When I saw that she was playing at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC, I had to check out her live show and see if she was the real deal. Last Tuesday I attended what can only be called the Church of Birch.

Call Us Invincible

Thursday night I ventured out to the very edge of Brooklyn to see the Call Me Invincible tour with Pat Benatar and Blondie. I returned home with a few thoughts. First, it’s true what a man once told me, “rock ‘n roll is not an aesthetic or even a sound, but a spirit. And you can't kill a spirit.” Second, while the crowd is critical to the experience of live music, it’s possible to enjoy a show in spite of a lame audience. Finally, despite the focus on youth in today’s media, older women are cool. We will inevitably bring more to the table than our teen and twenty-something sisters. It’s not that we don’t love our younger sisters. We remember what it was like being young but, honestly, it’s WAY better now. Plus, generally we’re just better at whatever it is that we do because of all those years of experience. Thanks Patricia and Debbie for reminding me.

Watts and SWIK Drummers

The passing of writer/director John Hughes last week brought back a rush of ’80’s memories. He wrote some classic comedies including National Lampoon’s Vacation and Mr. Mom. Yet for many of us, it was movies like Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off that captured our high school experiences with stories and music that came to, dare I say, almost define a generation. My favorite of his films was not a huge hit. Some Kind of Wonderful starred Mary Stuart Masterson as quirky drummer chick, Watts. I’ve seen this movie so many times, I’ve lost count. John Hughes movies reminded me of Watts, which started me thinking about female drummers.

Santigold

As I’ve written previously (see Ring A Ting Ting) music can be heard in many places. I’ve admitted to finding music on some pretty cheesy TV shows, so here’s another one. I discovered Santigold (formerly Santogold) on this season’s So You Think You Can Dance. I love to dance and am thrilled there’s a TV show that highlights all genres of dance from hip-hop to ballet, as well as ballroom. Go ahead and laugh, but not only is it an outlet to see amazing dance routines, it’s a great place to discover new music. There have been two routines to Santigold’s music this season, so I finally had to check out her album.

A Funk Soul Sister and Some Purplish Rain

Today, July 27, 2009 marks the 25th Anniversary of the movie Purple Rain. I can’t let this pass without recognizing the occasion and the album’s significance, not only in my life, but also in music history. This could be a great opportunity to write about the many women who have worked with Prince (Sheila E., Sheena Easton) or those who have made his songs famous (Stevie Nicks, Sinead O’Connor). Instead, I’m celebrating by listening to a cover tune by one of my favorite SWIKs, Sharon Jones. Spin magazine’s free tribute download, Purplish Rain, includes some interesting covers of every song from this classic soundtrack. The standout is “Take Me With You” by Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings.

Ring-a-Ting-Ting

Music comes to us in many ways; radio, movies, and of course music blogs like this one, but more frequently from TV. The first time that I heard the The Ting Tings was either in an iPod commercial or an episode of Gossip Girl. Pathetic, but true. What led me to check out their album was hearing about them from a friend at work, one of the few hip people at my day job. She mentioned that she had picked up The Ting Tings’ album last year in London. She thought she was really cool. Then she played the album for her teenage daughter, who was utterly unimpressed. Apparently, our Gen X tastes don’t translate entirely to kids today. But, what do they know? The Ting Tings bring us back to the ’80’s and simple pop rock tunes. Are The Ting Tings destined for the one-hit-wonder realm of Toni Basil’s “Mickey” or will they be around for the long haul?

MJ and the SWIK

I can't walk two feet out of my apartment without hearing a Michael Jackson song. Is it like this everywhere or just New York? Of course, the death of the “King of Pop” is tragic, but I didn’t think that he was directly relevant to this blog. Particularly, since he hasn’t put out anything of note for more than 15 years. Personally, I became more more of a Janet fan in the early ’90’s. But after some consideration, I couldn’t deny his massive his influence on pop music and the many women who have sampled his music for songs of their own.

Pine Trees and Peyroux

I love outdoor concerts. Central Park, Prospect Park, and Battery Park in NYC have all provided wonderful evnings of entertainment. Other favorite locations include large outdoor concert halls, such as SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in upstate NY or Great Woods (now Comcast Center) in MA. I've even been to shows at the Allentown Fair in PA. But on the grass, next to the L.L. Bean store in Freeport, ME? I wasn't so sure. I was eager to see Madeleine Peyroux, but her bluesy jazz seemed more appropriate for a smokey bar and berets, not pine trees and plaids. Yet there we were on Saturday night, surrounded by fleece pullovers, and it felt like a Paris cafe.

A SWIK Summer Dance Mix

As the summer solstice and the longest day of the year draw to a close, I’m thinking about songs of the season. What is it about summer music that seems to stay with us forever? Even if you’re not a passionate music geek like me, there are songs that whenever you hear them they bring you back to a particular moment and feeling. Of course, music can bring you back to any significant moment in life. But the songs of summer, they’re different. They capture a spirit and a feeling. For me, an overall sense of freedom and joy that came with summer and being out of school. Somehow it seemed that there was just a little less supervision. Once we leave school, it becomes more difficult to capture these warm weather sentiments. Summer vacation is only a week or two, if we’re lucky. So with the equinox and the official start of summer, here are a few songs for a SWIK Summer Dance Mix. Because summer, of course, includes a lot of dancing.

SWIK Icon Series: The girl still wants to have fun

After her performance on last month’s final episode of American Idol, some may say she’s back. In fact, she never left us. 1980’s indie-pop icon, Cyndi Lauper has been putting out albums - 12 to be specific - for years. It started with the party anthem, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” in 1983. Since then, she’s done everything from rock to big band. (We’ll forgive her unfortunate foray into WWF). I discovered she had a new album in the previously mentioned dance class (see Trina’s Single Again post), where we warmed up to “Into The Nightlife” a few months ago. It’s a high energy dance tune, but does the rest of the album hold up?

Camera Obscura and my maudlin mood

Finding music to suit one’s mood can be a challenge. Particularly when it's overall ennui or daily tedium. When there's nothing bad happening (thankfully), but nothing great either, I find myself reminiscing.  So I choose some music to capture the mood, resorting to a few old stand-bys, and sit with a glass wine. But this weekend I wanted something new. I discovered Camera Obscura several years ago and decided to check out their latest album, My Maudlin Career. A fitting title for a record that will likely become a regular in my playlist for those “weakly and effusively sentimental” moments.

The SWIKest Summer Tours

Summer in the city means roof deck parties, picnics in the park, and, most importantly, live music!  After the great find last weekend (see Lovewhip), I realized that I needed to update my calendar, buy some tickets, and make some plans for the next few months before I miss all the good shows. I picked up Time Out New York's "Summer Concerts" issue and Billboard's "Summer Preview Issue" to get myself sorted. So, who's on tour and who's worth seeing? Too many for me to mention, but here are a few of the SWIKest summer tours.

Lovewhip

To leave or not to leave NYC for the weekend?  That is the question. Every New Yorker faces it, particularly on the holiday weekends. After some bouts of indecision, I chose to visit a good friend and grab a little beach time in CT.  But I also wanted to hear some live music this weekend. There was plenty in NYC, but what would we find in New Haven?  We found Wild Women of Radio's 15th Anniversary Celebration at Cafe Nine featuring Lovewhip and their energetic and booty-shaking tunes.

Trina's Single Again

I'm a little behind the times with this tune. Trina's album Still the Baddest came out a year ago and this was the first single.   I heard "Single Again" where I discover most hip-hop music these days, in a dance class.  The instructor is a great choreographer and I like her music.  By the end of the class, I'm deluded into believing that I could be a back up dancer for Janet or J.Lo. While that will never happen, it is where I find out that Janet and J. Lo have new albums and discover new hip-hop tunes.   She played "Single Again" a few months ago and I was hooked. It also made me realize that I hadn't heard a female rapper in a while.  Was it just my ignorance or was there something more to it?

Meddle by Little Boots

Often things converge to point you to something that is worth, at the very least, further investigation.  This week two people, who's musical tastes I respect, pointed me to Little Boots and her song "Meddle".  If you don't want to read the whole story - cut to the chase - I like the song (fast and catchy).  I can't stop listening to it.  More on why below.

Why the SWIK?

It has come to my attention that there are very few women authoring music blogs.  I'm here to join the small and growing community.  Each week I'll pick an artist, album, or song and blog about  it.   Visit the About section for more on my musical tastes and to see if you'll care about my choices.  Some weeks I'll also expand  on different topics, like 'where have all the female rappers gone?' or propose debates like 'is Britney Spears relevant?'.   We'll see how it goes.  I'm new to the blogosphere.  Thanks for reading.